Rail anchor



Nov. 3, 1931. a. L. MOORE ET AL 1,830,477

RAIL ANCHOR Original Filed Oct. 22. 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 gme'ntow a ealya Z.Ma7v

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Nov. 3, 1931. a. L. MOORE ET AL 1,830,477

RAIL ANCHOR Original Filed (kit. 22, 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Q}IHHIIINIIHIIHWIIHH 60ryal; yaam Jamas 15. 6kele Nov. 3, 1931. a. L. MOORE ET AL 7 1,830,477

RAIL ANCHOR Original Filed Oct. 22, 1929 :s Shee ts-Sheet s Patented Nov. 3, 1931 7 UNITED STATES PATENT orr ce GEORGE LOOP MOORE AND JAMES-ROBERT STEELE, OF OWEGO, YORK BAIL ANCHOR Continuation of application- Serial No. 401,392, filed October 22,- 1923 This application filed July 31, 1930.

1 Serial no. 471,947.

Our invention relates to rail anchors and particularly to a one-piece double acting type constructed to engage one edge of a rail base flange on opposite sides of a tie and to be fulcrumed at an intermediate point to prevent the longitudinal creeping of the rail in either direction by the traffic moving over it. 1

An object of ourinvention is to provide a rail anchor formed of a single piece of metal which is easily applied to the rail base, efficiently grips the same, and coo erates with a stationary member of the road ed to prevent the rail from-creeping.

Another object of our invention is to provide a rail anchor, which is applied to a railroad rail by distortion and will beheld in operative position by the tendency of the anchor to resumea condition from which it was sprung when applied to the rail.

A further object of our invention is to provide an improved one-piece rail anchor adaptable to rails having base flanges of different widths.

Another object of our invention is to provide a one-piecerail anchor which will check the longitudinal creeping of the rail in either direction of tiafiic.

rinother object of our inven'lion is to pro-- 30. vide a one-piece two-way acting rail anchor which does not depend upon a cross tie abutment to check the creeping ofthe rail.

. The novel features of our. invention will be more fully understood from the following description and claims taken with the drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a plan View of one form of our improved rail anchor; Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the anchor shown in Fig. 1; 1

Fig. 3 is a view of one end of the anchor as shown in Fig. 2; i

4 is a section taken on line 4-4: of e- I Fig. 5- is a view of a portion of a railroad rail, a cross tie supporting'the rail, a spike securing the rail to thetie and the rail anchor.

in its Fig. 6 is'anj end view of. the anchor in operative position on the rail. v 1

Figs, 7 8, 9, 10 and 11 are similar to Figs. 1, 2,3, 1, and:5 but illustratinga modified. construction of the anchor. 1

Fig. 12 shows the manner in whicha' claw bar is used when applying the anchors shown in Fig. 1 to 11 inclusive.

Figs. 13, 141, 15,16 and 17 are similarto Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4L and 5 but illustratinga modified construction which is adapted to be driven onto-a rail. Fig. 18 showsa modification to the end of the anchor shown in Figs. 16' and 17..

Referring to the drawings: 15jindicates a rail, 16 a cross tie, 17 a spike, and 18,19 and 20 the respective forms ofrail anchors.

p In the embodiment of our invention shown in Figs. 1 to 6, inclusive,the anchor comprises end members 21and22 and an intermediate 1 connecting member 23, which is adapted to bridge a tie. I V g The anchor is preferably made 7 from a rectangular bar of resilient metal vof uniform section and its ends are formed with notches 24 and 25 to' provide rail engaging members Y26 and 27. The said'members are formed so as to'engage the bottom .of the rail adjacent the edge of one of the rail base flanges.

The connecting'member 23 is preferably formed with a pocket or depression 28 which is adapted to fit over the head of the spike 17 and thus retain the ancliorjin its operative position as shown in Fig. 5. The pocket may be formed by depressing the material on both sides of the spike head to form abutments 29 which prevent the longitudinal displacement of the anchor when it is in its operative position asshown in Fig. 5. It will be noted from Figs; 1 and 1 thatthe .abutments 2-9 on either side of the spike head extend but part way across the member 23, and that a lip 30 is formed which extendsinwardly towards the rail over the head. of the spike to prevent dislodgement of the anchor when it is in its I operative position.

From the Figs. 2 and 6 it will be seen that. the end member 22 isbent outwardly and upwardly and is formed with an inclined cam face 31 which is. adapted to provide an the notch 24 over one flange of the rail base abutment for a claw bar 32 by means of which the anchor may be applied to the rail.

It will be noted that the distance between the spike bearing portion 28 and the end member 21 is less than the distance between the portion 28 and the end member 22 and that the notch 24 is nearer the underside of member 23 than the notch 25. It will therefore be obvious that when the anchor is initially positioned on the rail, as shown in Fig. 5, that the end member 22 will assumethe position as shown by the dotted lines and when the end member 19 is forced downward.

ly by means of the claw bar, the member 23 is sprung thereby setting up reactions between "the head of the spike and the point of engagement at the end 21 and the underside of the rail base and the end 22 andthe underside of the rail, the gripping forces-being greater at end 21 than at 22, due to the locationof the 'bearingpoint28. The increase of force brings heavy pressure to bear upon the head of the spike and provides eflicient anchorage to the road bed through the medium of the cross tie,

and when the anchor is finally positioned the pocket, formed by the depressions on both sides ofthe spike head, prevents thelongitudinal displacement of the anchor relative to the-cross tie. i

The anchor is applied to a rail by hooking andbringing portion 28 into engagement with the head of the spike. A trackman claw "bar 32 isnow inserted between the space providedby the underside of the rail and portion 35' of' the end member 22. A downward V movement of the end of the claw bar forces end 22 downwardlyuntil notch 25 is in line with theedge of the rail base and further movement of the claw bar forces the rail engaging member 27 into engagement with the flange of the rail due to the shape of por- 'tion 35 which acts as a cam. This is best illustrated in Fig. 12 of the modified form the -'"fm ethod of application being the same for the species shown in Figs. 2 and 10, respectively.

In Figs. 7 to 12 inclusive we have illustratedamodified embodiment. In thismodi- 'fication the general features and principle of action and application are the same as for the anchor as shownin Figs. 1 to 6 inclusive, the principal differences being the manner 'in which the abutments are formed for the spike head on member 37. In thisjcase the I depressions 38 are carried the full width of the bar 37 to form projections 39 onboth sides of the head of the spike. The pocket 40 so formed brings the bearingportion for the head of the spike in line with the underside '41 of member 37. The notches 42 and 43 which constitute rai l engaging me ans of members 44 and 45, respectively, of portions 46 and 47 are substantially parallel with the member 37 instead of being in different planes as shown in Fig. 2. The end 48 of portion 47 is bent outwardly and twisted relatively to 47 to form an abutment for the claw bar as shown in Figs. 9 and 12.

As heretofore stated, the method of application of the modified form as shown in Fig. ,8, 1s the same as for the form shown in Fig.2. Y i

-To release the anchor from the rail, a claw bar, is used topry the rail engaging members 27 or from the base of the rail thereby releasing the grip of the anchor and allowing it to return to its unsprung condition.

In Figs. 13to 18, inclusive,'we have illustrated another modified embodiment. In this modification the principal difference in this anchor from those previously described is'that this anchor-is adapted to be driven onto the rail with a blow of a hammer at the point indicated by the arrow in Fig. 17, 'insteadof beingipulled on by a tool.

This anchor is preferably made of material similar to that previously described but the tool engaging members 35 or 48 of the anchor are dispensed with and preferably either a curved surface50, Fig. 15, or a steps -51, Fig.18, is provided to assist in applying the anchor to its operative position and also to prevent the anchor fromspringing directly upwardly during removal from a rail.

Preferably the. notches 52 and 53 are soc.

shaped that when the anchor is applied to a rail the members 54 and 55 will grip the rail on one side of the tie and the members 56 and 57 will grip the rail on the other side of thetie although these recesses may be madeifion similar to those shown on the first described anchors. The connecting member 58 is pref- -erably provided with a pocket 59 to receive the head of a track spike.

The anchor is applied to a rail by hooking;

the notch 52 over one flange of the rail base and bringing the portion 59 into engagement with the head of the spike. If the notch 52 is shaped so that the members 54 and 55 grip the rail flange, this end of the anchor is; struck a blow on the side so that the members 54 and 55 are driven into gripping relation with the rail. The anchor is now in the ,position indicated by dotted lines Fig. '17. -Pressure is now applied to the other end of i the member 58, such as by placing the foot thereon and a downward blow is struck with "is provided with a smp' 51the initial blow of the hammer is preferably such that the step'engageS the flange of the-rail and an additional blow is required to bring the memion bers 56 and 57 into initial engagement with have devised an improved one-piece rail anchor which is simple in construction, easily applied to the rail base and efliciently grips same to check the creeping tendencyoi' the rail in either direction of travel. Our device 1 is. particularly adaptable to rails having base flanges of different widths as it grips only one side-of the. flange of a rail its gripping ability is not affected by changes in widths "of base flanges.

Another feature of importance is the fact that the anchor does not depend upon'the cross tie for abutment as do the majority of other rail anchors, therefore there is no cutting or working away from the tie to render itinefiective due to the movement of the rail relative to the tie, as our anchor grips the head of the spike instead of abutting the tie.

' While we have shown our invention in a plurality of forms, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that it is not so limited, but is susceptible of various other changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof, and we desire, therefore, that only such limitations shall be placed thereupon as are imposed by the prior art or as are specifically set forth. in the appended claims.

Having thus described our inventionlwhat we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is z I gag-ingmembers adapted to grip one edge of a rail base and a track spike engaging portion adapted to grip the head of a spike when said anchor is in its operative position on a rail.

4. A rail anchor comprising rail base engaging members and a: spike engaging portion having lateral abutments' adapted to en gage. the head of a track spike when the anchor is in its: operative position on a rail,

and means to prevent dislodgmzenet of the anchor from its operative position.

5. A rail anchor comprising depending end portions adapted togripone edge of a rail base, a member connecting said end. portions, a depression in said connecting member adapted tov engage the head of a track spike and means on one of said ends adapted to be engaged by an applying tool. 1

6. A rail anchor comprising depending end portions adapted to grip one edge of a rail base, .a member connecting sa1d end portions, a depression 1n said connect ng member adapted to engage the head of a track spike.

7. A rail anchor" comprising depending" members formed with rail engaging shoulders adapted to engage one flange of a rail base, a resilient member connecting said depending members and adapted. to bear with spring pressure against a stationary member of the road bed.

8. A rail anchor comprising depending members formed with ra-il engaging members adapted to engage the underside; of a .rail base at one side or a rail, a resilient memberconnecting the upper ends of said, depend ing members, said connecting member being adapted to engage the head of a track spike and to be distorted when applied to a rail to eflect a gripping action between'said rail engaging membersand the base of the rail and said connecting member and said spike.

9. A rail anchor comprising depending- -n1embers formed with rail engaging shoulders adapted to engage one flange of a rail base, a resilient member connecting said depending members and adapted to bear with spring pressure against a stationary member of the road bed, said depending members. being positioned onopposite sides of a cross tie when in operative position on arail.

10. A rail anchor comprising'a resilient member adapted to extend over a railway cross tie and having downwardly turned ends adapted to engage the flange of a rail base, said resilient member having a depressed portion adapted to receive the head of a track spike, said depressed portion being unequally spaced intermediate said ends, and means on one of said ends. adapted to be engaged by an applying tool.

11. A rail anchor comprising a resilient member adapted to extend over a railway cross tie and having downwardly turned ends adapted to engage the flange of a rail base, said resilient member having a recessed portion adapted to receive the head of a track spike.

12. A rail member adapted to extend over a railway cross tie and having downwardly turned ends adaptedto engage the flange of a rail base, said resilient member having a depressed portion adapted to receive the head of atrack spike and said depressed portion being unequally spaced intermediate said ends.

13. A rail anchor comprising a resilient member adapted to extend longitudinally over the base of a rail, and downwardly turned ends having members adapted to enanchor comprising a resilient gage the bottom of a rail base flangeat one to said base flange during the application of the anchor to a rail;

14. A rail anchor {comprising a'resilient member adapted to extend longitudinally over the base of a rail and crosswise of a tie and having downwardly turned notched portions extending beyond the base of the rail,

said resilient member having a portion adapted to grip tliehead of a track spike and so positioned relative to said notched portions to provide a clearance between the tie and said notched portions when in operative position on a rail.

15. In a rail anchor, spaced rail gripping members for engaging one flange of a rail base and means provided intermediate said gripping members for exerting a pressure ivert-ically of the rail on a fixed member of the road bed to maintain said gripping members base on opposite sides ofa cross tie, a connecting member intermediate said gripping members provlded w1th abutment-s adapted a to coact against a fixed member of the road bed, said gripping members being so disposed relative to said connecting member as to effect a gripping action between said members and the rail. 7

18. A rail anchor comprising downwardly disposed members for engaging one flange of a rail base, and an intermediate member adapted to extend above the base of the rail connecting said members, said intermediate member having spaced abutnients adapted to coact with the head of a track spike and positioned nearer to one of said members than to the other, and an outwardly extending ledge portion formed at the lower end of one of said members and having an inclined face adapted to be engaged by a trackmans claw bar. a A

19. A rail anchor for rails, comprising a plurality of rail base" engaging members adapted to engage one edge of the rail base, and means connecting the ends of said members adapted to engage the head of a track spike.

20 A rail anchor for rails, comprising a plurality of rail base engaging members h adapted to engage one edge of the rail base,

and'means connecting the ends of said members adapted to engage the head of a track spike whereby said anchor is applied to a rail to eflect a gripping and holding action between the rail engaging members and the underside of therail base.

21. A one-piece rail anchor for rails adapted to straddle a fixed element'of the road bed and to grip one edge of the rail base flange and the head of a track spike which combed when in of-the base flange. and coact with the head of a track spike when operatively applied thereto.

23. A one-piece rail anchor for rails having a plurality of members adapted to grip one I? g edge of the rail base, means connecting said members and adapted to contact with the 'head of a track spike, whereby the anchor will be held in frictional engagement at two points on the rail and at a third point c0mprising said spike when in operative position.

24. In combinationwith a railway cross tie, a rail in position thereon andspikes for retaining the rail iniposition upon the tie, a 5

Tall anchor having rail engaging members adapted to frictionally engage one edge of the rail base at opposite sides of the tie and another member having a depression adapted to engage the head of a spike to constantly exert I 5 downward pressureon said spike toward the tie and to resistmovement of said anchor relative to said tie. a p v 25. In combination with a railway cross tie, a rail in positionthereon and spikes fori'i retaining the rail in position upon the tie, a one-piece anchor having rail engaging members adapted to frictionally engage one edge of the rail base at opposite sides of the tie, and

a connecting member having a depression adapted to engage the head of a spike to constantly urge same toward the tie when one of said rail engaging members is moved downwardly to flex said connecting member whereby a gripping action between the anchor andia the rail is efi'ected.

26. A one-piece rail anchor comprising spaced rail engaging members, means connecting said members adapted to bridge a tie and means connected to saidconnecting means adapted to engage a relatively stationary member of the road bed whereby the rail engaging members are retained in frictional engagement w1th the fall.

;27; A rail anchor adapted to be driven: 'onto a rail comprising depending notched adapted to engage the head of a track spike so as to exert a downward pressure thereon.

29. A rail anchor comprising rail engag ing members adjacent each end thereof and an intermediate member, connecting said. members said intermediate member having means for engaging the head of a spike and said rail engaging members having notches consituting shoulders adapted to engage the flange of a rail one of said shoulders having a portion thereof removed at its outer edge.

30. A rail anchor comprising a portion adapted to fulcrum on a member of a track structure intermediate the edges of a tie and depending end portions having shoulders adapted to engage the base of a rail at either side of the tie.

31. A one-piece rail anchor comprising a portion adapted to fulcrum on a member of a track structure intermediate the edges of a tie and end portions having shoulders adapted to engage the base of a rail.

32. A rail anchor comprising rail base and track spike engaging portions, said anchor to be applied to the rail by distortion and held in operative position on the rail by the tendency of the anchor to resume the condition from which it was sprung, said anchor being Iegdapted to engage but one side of the rail ase. 33. In a railanchor, spaced rail gripping members for engaging one flange of a rail base on opposite sides of a crosstie, a connecting member intermediate said gripping members provided with abutments adapted to coact against a fixed member of the road bed, said gripping members being so disposed relative to said connecting member as to require distortion of said connecting member to effect a gripping action between said members and the rail.

34. A rail anchor for rails, comprising aplurality of rail base engaging members adapted to engage one edge of the rail base, and means connecting the'ends of said members adapted to engage the head of a track spike, whereby said connecting member is sprung when said anchor is applied to a rail to efi'ect a gripping and holding action between said members and the underside of the rail base.

35. A rail anchor comprising a plurality of rail engaging members and a member to pass over a spike head and having a pocket receptive of said spike head.

36. A rail anchor comprising a resilient member adapted to bridge a railway cross tie and downwardly turned end members adapted to engage the flange of a rail base, said re silient member having a depressed portion to provide a pocket for a spike head. 7

In testimony whereof we hereunto affix our signatures.

GEORGE LOOP MOORE. JAMES ROBERT STEELE. 

